Senior Environmental Planner: Climate Resilience & Equity

Massachusetts Clean Energy; Boston (MA); Hybrid; PHP 6,169,031 - 7,711,288; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Transit subsidy up to $225

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Professional development support

Paid holidays and vacation time

Job summary

Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks a Senior Environmental Planner to advance climate equity and resilience for cities and towns in the Boston region. The role includes developing plans, guiding regulatory improvements, and coordinating with MAPC’s Environment Department on multi‑department projects.

Candidates should have a strong background in environmental planning, GIS, and community equity, with a track record of collaborating with agencies and communities to reduce climate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in regional planning or a closely related field with a minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree with 4 years of experience.
• Experience applying climate resilience and environmental justice principles in planning.
• Ability to analyze regulations, policies, and programs and craft project proposals.

Responsibilities

• Assist cities and towns to prepare for climate and environmental challenges, including water management and coastal resilience.
• Develop Hazard Mitigation and Climate Resilience Plans for municipalities.
• Lead MVP Planning 2.0 processes in communities and review local bylaws for climate resilience.
• Evaluate regulations and recommend updates; promote equity for environmental justice communities.
• Serve as Project Manager on local and regional MAPC initiatives and collaborate across departments.
• Identify opportunities for funding and pursue new proposals to advance MAPC’s mission.
• Engage with state and federal agencies and non‑profit partners on environmental policy.

Skills

Environmental planning

Project management

Climate resilience

Stakeholder collaboration

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in regional planning or related field

Master’s degree in related field (preferred)

Tools

GIS

Graphic design tools

Job description

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks candidates for the position of Senior Environmental Planner, who will work on a wide variety of local and regional projects to ensure climate equity and resilience for cities and towns in the region. This includes supporting cities and towns with identifying and mitigating environmental hazards and advancing climate planning and implementation solutions. The Senior Environmental Planner will also help to evaluate and recommend improvements in state laws, regulations, policies, and programs consistent with the values described in MetroCommon2050 : Shaping the Region Together, the regional land use and policy plan.

About MAPC:

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development and preservation, advancing equity in the region, collaboration across municipal boundaries, and developing a climate-friendly and resilient region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 120 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org

About the Department

MAPC’s Environment Department works to promote the planning and implementation of environmental best practices and climate resilience solutions. Our strategic goals include promoting the protection and sustainable management of water resources; preparing for and enhancing communities’ resilience to the impacts of climate change and natural hazards; promoting nature-based solutions to resource management and climate challenges; and advancing equity and environmental justice. The Senior Environmental Planner reports to the Director of Environmental Planning; the position provides an opportunity to shape the strategic direction for environmental and climate policies within local communities and across Greater Boston.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist cities and towns to prepare for regional climate and environmental challenges, such as sustainable water management, coastal resilience planning, and protection of critical natural areas;
• Prepare Hazard Mitigation and Climate Resilience Plans for cities and towns;
• Support cities and towns with the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Planning 2.0 process;
• Review municipal bylaws/ordinances and regulations regarding climate resilience and sustainable water management, including Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development, and prepare recommendations for new or updated regulations;
• Promote equity by addressing the environmental risks and challenges facing Environmental Justice communities and historically marginalized populations, such as BIPOC, low-income, elderly, immigrants, and differently abled people;
• Research, evaluate and recommend options for reducing and mitigating the impacts of development and climate change, with an emphasis on nature-based solutions;
• Serve as Project Manager for local and regional projects, and in a role of collaboration with other MAPC departments on multi-departmental projects;
• Research new areas of practice; develop new project proposals and seek funding to support and expand the Environment Department’s mission;
• Pursue professional development opportunities to remain informed about current environmental planning issues, programs, resources, and tools;
• Collaborate on environmental issues with state and federal agencies, non-profit advocacy and research groups, and community-based organizations;
• Collaborate with other MAPC departments on interdisciplinary projects; and
• Support state environmental policy or legislation through analysis and advocacy.

Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings indifferent parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account, and BlueBikes membership.

Qualifications

Candidates for this position should have a Bachelor’s degree in regional planning, natural resources management, climate change and resiliency planning, or a closely related field, and a minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience; or a Master's degree with a major in one of these fields and a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Successful candidates will demonstrate all or most of the following:

• Understanding of current best planning practices for sustainable resource management in areas such as water resources, coastal resources, climate resiliency, green infrastructure, and Low Impact Development;
• Experience working with state and municipal government;
• Experience with developing municipal bylaws/ordinances and regulations to promote sustainable management of land and water resources, green infrastructure, and climate resilience;
• Knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations and programs, such as the Clean Water Act, the MS4 Stormwater Permit, the Wetlands Protection Act, the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, the MA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, and FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Program;
• Familiarity with Environmental Justice efforts at the state and local levels, and a commitment to incorporating equity into planning projects and meaningfully engaging community stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written);
• Project management and budgeting skills;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work effectively with MAPC team members, community groups, and government officials;
• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills; experience handling public involvement and agency coordination with diverse stakeholders and other professionals; and
• Ability to work with people in a range of settings, including diverse urban neighborhoods, developing suburban centers, and/or small or rural communities.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of best practices for design and implementation of Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development; ability to use graphic design tools and/or hydrologic analysis for assessment or conceptual design of Best Management Practices; and
• Strong research skills, including ability to interpret and synthesize data; ability to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools.

As an MAPC employee you're offered a great career opportunity serving the people who live and work in the 101 cities and towns of Metropolitan Boston - but it's more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:

• 75% MAPC paid medical insurance premium
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account for Health Care and Dependent Care
• Public transit commuter subsidy up to $225
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings plans: Defined Benefit Pension plan through Mass. State Employees Retirement System (MESRB) and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• 13paid holidays per year and competitive Sick and Vacation Time
• Up to 5 Discretionary days per year (based on hire date)
• 40 MAPC-paid days for FMLA qualifying events, including parental leave
• Tuition assistance
• 100% Short-Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• Mass4You Wellness Programs and Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development
• Payment of professional dues and memberships
• On site drop-in yoga, lactation room, and work well fitness challenges
• Mass State employee cell phone data and equipment discounts
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

How to Apply

Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs . The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. MAPC may consider sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.

MAPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.